What to Do in Your Central Texas Garden (June 15–30): Train Blackberries & Plan for Fall
As summer settles into Central Texas, gardening starts to shift from planting mode into maintenance, harvesting, and planning. In this episode, Colleen shares what gardeners should focus on during the second half of June, including rainwater harvesting, fruit tree harvests, summer vegetable care, blackberry maintenance, lawn care tips, and protecting native plants and pollinators.
🌧️ Rain Barrels & Erosion Control
Heavy rains have created erosion problems for many Central Texas gardeners this year. If your property has gutters, now is a great time to consider adding rain barrels to collect and reuse rainfall.
✔️ Rain Barrel Tips
Choose a barrel with a removable top
Use a screen to prevent mosquitoes
Install an overflow pipe
💧 Mosquito Control Without Harming Pollinators
Mosquito Dunks
Mosquito Bits
🌳 Trees & Shrubs in Late June
🚫 Avoid
Planting trees
Planting shrubs
Pruning oak trees
✔️ Safe Summer Pruning
Lift tree canopies
Clear sidewalks and driveways
🍑 Fruit Tree Harvest Season
🍑 Check for Ripeness
Peaches
Plums
Nectarines
Apricots
Pluots
Figs
🍇 Blackberry & Raspberry Care
✔️ After Harvest
Remove dead canes
Train new canes
Pin canes to root
🌱 Raspberries in Central Texas
Use rainwater
Test soil pH
Best areas east of Austin
🥕 Summer Vegetable Gardening
🌱 Direct Sow
Black-eyed peas
Cowpeas
Okra
Melons
Pumpkins
🌶️ Plant from Transplants
Peppers
Eggplant
🍠 Last Chance
Sweet potato slips
🌿 Herb Garden Harvest Time
🌱 Harvest Now
Mint
Lemon balm
Chives
Oregano
Thyme
Basil
🌱 Lawn Care Reminder
✔️ Better Approach
Mow every two weeks
Keep mower height high
🌍 Protecting Native Plants & Pollinators
Threats include:
Development
Invasive plants
Climate change
Overgrazing
🌼 Upcoming Events
Wild Spirit, Wild Places - 3rd Annual Pollinator Celebration
📅 Sunday, June 14
11:00 AM 3:00 PM
Vista Brewing
Native Plants + Pollinators Panel: 12–1
📅 June 20
10:00–11:30
The Natural Gardener
Learn to ID trees & collect seed (basswood!)
🔗 Resources & Products Mentioned
“Designing a fruit tree garden” book: https://amzn.to/4vdWhB1
Citronella Incense: https://amzn.to/4uBxKFZ
Short Hose: https://amzn.to/4vnMwjP
Mosquito Bits: https://amzn.to/4ogReh3
Mosquito Dunks: https://amzn.to/4uIQC66
Staples: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09SCZ5PCZ?tag=atxgardens-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1
Hand Cultivator: https://amzn.to/4u3noNY
Event RSVP: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/3rd-annual-pollinator-celebration
https://www.treefolks.org/events/tree-id-natural-gardener-26-06-20/
🌼 Stay Connected
For more Central Texas gardening advice, seasonal planting tips, and sustainable landscaping guidance, visit http://ATXGardens.com and follow Colleen on Instagram @ATXGardens_.
